We seem to be collecting ideas in various other threads on this subject and since I have this brain that likes to throw these ideas at me I thought I would start us a place to put them! If any of you have ideas or find a source for some of the things we need to implement these projects (ie. baby crib rails for our hayracks ex. Goodwill, Yardsales) please let us know. Hope this will get your ideas rolling into one place so we will have a good reference for all of them since we seem to be so creative as a team. And if any of you who know how to do it (since we all know how computer illiterate I am) please transfer any of my previous ideas you run across in other threads here, for me please! There is presently one in the "Another Noble Goat Feed" Discussion. With my white clothes hamper hay feeder for less than $10.00, which I wish were on here! I will Add a pic in case I can't get the conversation transferred!
You need to be a member of Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats to add comments!
Replies
Margaret, can you post pics of your tarp contraptions?
Now Kathy, that is nice and simple for pretty weather and I am sure you will come up with a simple place to add hay to their rain shelter soon, now that those creative thoughts are flowing. I have just taken to using the little cheap sun tarps that come with poles and string and putting the center pole in the tarp and tying it to the fence very tight then tying off the corners etc. toward the fence sides to create lots of extra shade and protection for the hay.
Great idea!
You are welcome. Large (2-liter) soda bottles could also be used for a temporary supplement feeder (until you have something more permanent) as one goat could get their nose/mouth in them. Cut approximately in half (a little high from the bottom). Poke some holes in the bottom half (so any water drains through) and attach that (screws or zip ties) to whatever it will be on. Put the cap back on the top and turn it upside down in the bottom half for the supplements. Again, removable and easy to clean. Hopefully, not so removable the goats pull out the top part.
I like the ones I put together because the containers push down far enough the goats cannot get a grip on the "rim" to pull them out while I can when need be. There might also be a size pipe that would fit the 2-liter soda bottles. I use a soda bottle bottom screwed onto the stanchion at my shoulder height (sitting) to hold my receiving milking cup and pour the milk from the cup used for actual milking into it periodically so if a goat hoof goes into the cup, I don't lose it all. It fits the 2-cup Pyrex cup perfectly. Love that I know during milking how much I am actually getting. Those bottles are good for a sundry of things, including cutting off the bottoms and using them for mini-greenhouses (hot caps) with the cap off. The removed bottoms can also be put under starter pots.
The Tree-Top apple juice bottles are great to store supplements. The openings are large enough for a funnel (top half of one of those soda bottles makes a good quick funnel), and their rectangular shape makes them easy to hold for pouring without slipping. Also, that little indentation on the front and back at the top makes it easy to write on them what is actually in the bottle so there is no guessing. I use them for both minerals and for kelp though baking soda could also be stored in them. I love having them right in the stall on a shelf so I don't even have to go elsewhere when I notice something is low.
Thanks Glenna, now I have several plans about how to use this idea of yours! I have to go on a search of the best bowls that are easily accessible for me and get matching pipe sizes.
Supplement container.
Six-inch diameter PVC pipe cut to desired lengths and plastic food containers that fit snugly inside the pipe are what I use. The containers are from Reser's salads so if you have those in your area, you have the same components available. The Reser's containers have a lip at the top that holds them securely in the pipe while not letting them slip through. If you have containers slightly smaller, you can drill holes in the bottom edge of the pipe and criss-cross twine, wire or zip ties to keep them from falling through and they (the holders) still will not hold moisture. For now, I have the pipe fastened with zip ties to fencing inside the stall. I will be later making a "carrier" for the containers but this works well for now. I do *not* fasten the containers in so they can easily be removed for cleaning. I am using six-inch diameter as it gives ample room for goat noses but, hopefully, not roomy enough for kids to climb on. Part of the beauty of these is they are inexpensive and expandable at any time. If you don't have pipe scraps around, you might find them at a local rebuilder's store or post for them on your local FreeCycle.Org group. You might be able to purchase the pipe at a plumbing store and have them cut it to length for you, easier than trying to put it in a vise and using a hack saw. I'm guessing that most of you, being on farms, have some pipe around already.